The Drone Pilot Guide
This guide was created to help you identify your goals and select the services you actually need, whether you’re a beginner, changing careers, or already a pilot looking to specialize.
The guide is divided into the following sections:
Why Get a Pilot Certificate
To fly a drone weighing at least 250 grams, Canadian law requires you to hold a pilot certificate issued by Transport Canada. Failing to comply can result in fines of up to $15,000.
Obtaining your certificate allows you to:
- Fly legally and safely
- Avoid costly mistakes, fines, and denied permissions
- Access more locations and types of missions
Choose the Right Pilot Certificate for You
This section will help you identify the certificate that best matches the type of operations you plan to carry out.
In Canada, there are three types of drone pilot certificates:
- Basic
- Advanced
- Level 1 Complex (L1CO)
Keep in mind that each certificate level includes the privileges of the lower levels. This means you can start directly with the certificate that meets your needs without having to obtain the previous levels.
Before making your choice, take a moment to ask yourself: Which certificate is best suited for the locations I want to fly in and the missions I plan to undertake?
Basic Certificate
The Basic Certificate is intended for individuals who want to fly a small drone outside urban areas, away from people and air traffic.
Specifically, the Basic Certificate allows you to fly a small drone (250 g to 25 kg) within visual line of sight (VLOS) while complying with the following two conditions:
1. Stay in uncontrolled airspace and away from certain aerodromes.*
2. Maintain a horizontal distance of at least 100 feet (30 m) from people.
🗺️ To view no-fly zones for drone operations under a basic certificate, we recommend using the NAV Drone Viewer and setting the map to Basic Operations. To learn how to use and interpret the NAV Drone Viewer, please click on the “Help” tab at the top right of the tool.
Advanced Certificate
The Advanced Certificate is the most popular choice, as it meets the operational needs of the vast majority of pilots, whether recreational or professional. This certificate allows you to fly almost anywhere, including closer to people.
Specifically, the Advanced Certificate allows you to fly a small drone (250 g to 25 kg) or a medium drone (25 kg to 150 kg) within visual line of sight (VLOS):
In controlled airspace and near aerodromes.
At a horizontal distance of less than 100 feet / 500 feet from people.
The Advanced Certificate also allows you to fly a small drone (between 250 g and 25 kg) beyond visual line of sight as part of a:
EVLOS Operation in Uncontrolled Airspace: An Extended VLOS (EVLOS) operation allows a small drone that is not in visual line-of-sight to be flown with the assistance of a trained and certified visual observer. The observer is not required to keep the drone in sight but must actively monitor the surrounding airspace to identify and avoid other aircraft and potential hazards. During this type of operation, the drone must be kept at least 100 feet horizontally away from any person not involved in the operation.
Sheltered Operation : A Sheltered Operation involves flying a small drone that is not in visual line-of-sight when the aircraft is within 200 feet horizontally and 100 feet vertically of a building or structure. During this type of operation, the drone must be kept at least 100 feet horizontally away from any person not involved in the operation.
🗺️ By setting the NAV Drone Viewer to Advanced Operations, you will see that an Advanced Certificate allows you to fly a drone in areas where Basic Certificate holders are not permitted to fly.
🛩️ It is also important to know that Advanced Operations can only be conducted with a drone listed on the list of drones eligible for Advanced Operations published by Transport Canada. Fortunately, this list includes most popular drones.
Level 1 Complex Certificate (L1CO)
In addition to covering Basic and Advanced operations, the Level 1 Complex Certificate allows flying a drone beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).
This certificate will only be useful for a limited number of candidates, as Level 1 Complex operations (L1CO) are only permitted in very specific situations.
Specifically, the L1CO certificate allows flying small and medium drones beyond visual line of sight while complying with the following conditions:
1. Staying in uncontrolled airspace and away from aerodromes
2. Avoiding populated areas
🗺️ By setting the NAV Drone Viewer to Level 1 Complex operations, you can see the areas where this type of operation is permitted.
🛩️ Additionally, L1CO operations can only be conducted with a drone eligible for L1CO operations. Currently, very few drones meet these requirements.
How to Get the Basic Certificate
To obtain the Basic Certificate, you must:
✅ Be at least 14 years old
✅ Pass the Transport Canada Basic Exam
Our Basic Services
Basic Exam Preparation Course
149$+tx
To obtain the Basic Certificate, you must pass the Basic Exam. Our online Basic Exam Preparation course covers all the material you need to know to succeed. Please click the course link below to access it.
Basic Practical Training
300$+tx
Once you have obtained your Basic Pilot Certificate, you may want to advance your drone piloting skills with the guidance of an instructor. To learn more, click the button below.
Basic Bundle
$399+tax
If you’re interested in our basic services, the Basic Bundle is a great choice. This bundle includes:
✅ Our online Basic Exam Preparation course
How to Get the Advanced Certificate
To obtain the Advanced Certificate, you must:
✅ Be at least 16 years old
✅ Pass the Transport Canada Advanced Exam
✅ Pass the Advanced Flight Review
Our Advanced Services
Advanced Exam Preparation Course
249$+tx
The first step to obtaining the Advanced Certificate is passing the Advanced Exam. Our online Advanced Exam Preparation course covers all the material you need to know to succeed. Please click the link below to access it.
Advanced Practical Training
300$+tx
Once you have passed the Advanced Exam, you must complete the Advanced Flight Review, a practical test that evaluates your piloting skills. If you want to learn to fly a drone and prepare for the practical exam with the guidance of an instructor, click the button below.
Advanced Flight Review
195$+tx
Onchttps://droneacademe you have passed the Advanced Exam, you must complete the Advanced Flight Review. This practical test evaluates your ability to plan and carry out a drone flight in an advanced operation context. By the way, when you book an advanced flight review with our school, you receive free access to our online Advanced Flight Review Preparation course.
Advanced Bundle
849$+tx
If you are interested in all of our advanced services, the Advanced Bundle could be a great option for you.
This bundle includes:
✅ The online Advanced Exam Preparation course
✅ Theoretical and practical training to prepare for the advanced flight review
✅ The Advanced Flight Review
✅ An online specialization course of your choice
📖 BONUS: Professional Starter Guide
How to Get the L1CO Certificate
To obtain the L1CO Certificate, you must:
✅ Be at least 18 years old
✅ Complete a 20-hour L1CO theoretical course
✅ Pass the Transport Canada Advanced Exam
✅ Pass the Transport Canada Level 1 Complex Exam
✅ Pass the L1CO Flight Review
Our L1CO Services
20-Hour L1CO Theory Course
899$+tx
The first step to obtaining the L1CO Certificate is completing at least 20 hours of instructor-led theoretical training. Our theoretical course fulfills this requirement. It also provides comprehensive preparation for Transport Canada’s Advanced and Level 1 Complex (L1CO) exams. You can access the course by clicking the button below.
L1CO Practical Training
400$+tx
Once you have passed the Advanced and Level 1 Complex (L1CO) exams, you must complete the L1CO Flight Review, a practical test that evaluates your piloting skills. If you want to learn to fly a drone and prepare for this practical exam with the guidance of an instructor, click the button below.
L1CO Flight Review
325$+tx
Once you have passed the Advanced and Level 1 Complex (L1CO) exams, you must complete the L1CO Flight Review. This practical test evaluates your ability to plan and execute a drone flight in an advanced and Level 1 Complex operations context. By the way, when you book an L1CO Flight Review with our school, you receive free access to our online L1CO Flight Review Preparation course.
L1CO Professional Bundle
1,799$+tx
If you are interested in all of our L1CO services, the L1CO Professional Bundle could be a great option for you.
This bundle includes:
✅ A 20-hour theoretical course preparing for the Advanced and Level 1 Complex (L1CO) exams
✅ Theoretical and practical training to prepare for the L1CO Flight Review
✅ An L1CO Flight Review
✅ All of our online specialization courses
📖 BONUS: Professional Starter Guide
Specialization Courses
Once you have your pilot certificate, our specialization courses open new opportunities. Develop key skills and access high-demand sectors. Click the course link for more information.
💡 If you plan to take one or more specialization courses, one of our bundles could be a great option for you.
✔ Market-ready skills
Courses meet high-demand industry requirements
✔ In-demand expertise
Enhance abilities for recreational or professional services
✔ Expert instructors
Learn from professionals with 10+ years of experience
✔ Turn passion into profession
Transform your drone hobby into a career
